Welcome to Part 2 of the first day of Blazers Media day. OSLers Mike Whitman and Andrew Theen were in attendance. Here are some insights from assistant coaches Monty Williams and Maurice Lucas. More to come.
Monty Williams (click here for interview with Monty)
- Coach Williams said his recruitment for the head coaching job in Minnesota was “flattering” and a “good portfolio builder.” He praised Kurt Rambis as a great choice. Williams said of the T’Wolves, “they have to want you, and in my situation they didn’t and you have to live with that.”
- Williams is totally jacked for the season opener. He said he loathes training camp because you “plod along.” He really hates training camp.
- Williams said if he were playing…training camp would be a different story. Unfortunately as a coach, “I’ve got to be as objective as I can and help these guys get a fair shake.”
- One final jab at training camp, “It’s like digging a ditch. It’s not that exciting.” Tell us how you really feel Monty.
- Williams said he expects the team to get off to a great start and really shock some teams because of the addition of Andre Miller and a “more enthusiastic Greg Oden.” Williams talked more about Greg’s development, learning how to deal with the rigors of the professional game, and just exerting more effort on our audio snippet.
Maurice Lucas Is Back And Everyone in The Blazers Organization Is Pumped
Maurice Lucas (click here for interview with Coach Lucas)
- Coach Lucas is back after a scary year of medical issues. Lucas had surgery for bladder cancer in April. He says he’s “feeling pretty good. The strength isn’t there in full yet.”
- Lucas obviously “didn’t pay a whole heckuva lot of attention” to the woes of Greg Oden last year. He was coping with his own serious medical issues, but Lucas says during the playoffs he started to feel better and watch more of the action.
-Lucas said Greg Oden had to go through a stage of his career where he struggled mightily. Lucas said he believes last year was that year.
- Coach Lucas talked to us for a long time, and he talked about philosophical issues: whether a big man is born with “the killer instinct” and if not, how to hone it. He talked about what could be LaMarcus Aldridge’s big year, Dante Cunningham’s talent, and more. Listen to the 5 minute clip with “The Enforcer” Coach Lucas from the link above.